April 6, 2007
AUBURN -
The Auburn women's tennis team (10-7, 4-5 SEC) used five singles victories to take down Arkansas (9-10, 2-7), 5-2 on Friday at the Auburn Intramural Tennis Facility.
"We let our nerves get the best of us early," head coach Tim Gray said. "But we settled down and battled back point after point. When we grind and battle, that is when we are at our best."
The Tigers changed up their doubles lineup at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, which appeared to work as Whitney Chappell and Jil Hastenrath started the match off with an 8-2 win over Ela Kaluder and Rachel Wilhelm on the third court. Arkansas took the next one, as Aurelija Miseviciute and Audrey Bordeleau defeated Fani Chifchieva and Kelly Adams, 8-6 on the second court. With all eyes on court one, the 14th ranked duo of Alex Haney and Melissa Koning fell, 9-8(3) to give the Lady Razorbacks the doubles point.
Down 1-0 heading into singles, Auburn began to battle back, starting with Chappell's 6-2, 6-0 rout of Nanar Airapetian at the No. 4 spot. Arkansas would take back a brief 2-1 lead after Heather Bybee dropped her No. 6 match, 6-1, 6-2, but Chifchieva quickly tied the match back up at two. The 27th ranked singles player in the country defeated No. 37 Ela Kaluder, 6-3, 6-3 to mover her season record 13-4.
With three singles matches still going on and the overall match still in the balance, Auburn found the momentum and began to pull away. It began with Hastenrath, who had won the first set, 6-1, but dropped the second, 3-6. Down 3-4 in the third, she caught fire and won three-straight games for a victory over Audrey Bordeleau.
With momentum flowing through the crowd, Haney made her own comeback on court two. After dropping the opening set, 5-7 and winning the second, 6-4, she found herself trailing, 1-3. The sophomore turned up the heat and disposed of Aurelija Miseviciute, 6-4 in the third for the victory. The Grayson, Ga., native is now 15-2 this spring.
Even with the match being decided, Koning was not going to be outdone. At the same time Haney was making her comeback, Koning was tied at two in the third set. After exchanging games with Maryori Franco, Koning took control at 5-4 and took the next game for the win.
With the win, Auburn will remain at the top of the SEC West standings. Depending on the outcome of Friday's dual between LSU and Alabama, AU and LSU could be tied heading into their battle on Sunday.
Louisiana State will visit Auburn on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at the Auburn Intramural Tennis Facility. Admission is free.
#36 Auburn 5, #58 Arkansas 2
Singles competition
1. #27 Fani Chifchieva (AU) def. #37 Ela Kaluder (ARK) 6-3, 6-3
2. Alex Haney (AU) def. Aurelija Miseviciute (ARK) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
3. Melissa Koning (AU) def. Maryori Franco (ARK) 5-7, 7-5, 6-4
4. Whitney Chappell (AU) def. Nanar Airapetian (ARK) 6-2, 6-0
5. Jil Hastenrath (AU) def. Audrey Bordeleau (ARK) 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
6. Rachel Wilhelm (ARK) def. Heather Bybee (AU) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Maryori Franco/Nanar Airapetian (ARK) def. #14 Alex Haney/Melissa Koning (AU) 9-8 (7-3)
2. Aurelija Miseviciute/Audrey Bordeleau (ARK) def. Fani Chifchieva/Kelly Adams (AU) 8-6
3. Whitney Chappell/Jil Hastenrath (AU) def. Ela Kaluder/Rachel Wilhelm (ARK) 8-2
Match Notes:
Arkansas 9-10, 2-7 SEC; National ranking #58
Auburn 10-7, 4-5 SEC; National ranking #36
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (4,6,1,5,2,3)